In a first for the search giant; Google has signed a deal that will see new PCs from Sony ship with the Chrome web browser installed.

The specific terms of the deal are not being disclosed and it is thought some Sony PCs may already be shipping with the browser as the deal was finalized over the summer. What we don’t know is which models and where these PCs are being sold. Google has confirmed though, that this is just the first deal and it is actively pursuing other manufacturers to try and get its browser solution included on more machines.

Chrome is the relative new boy in the browser market and its market share is well down on market leader Internet Explorer and second-placed Firefox. Including a browser with a new machine gives it a better chance of being used, but with the advent of Windows 7 such deals will not need to include European markets. Microsoft has already agreed to ship the new OS with a web browser ballot screen giving users a choice of which one to use.

Shipping a browser with a new machine is no guarantee that it will be used, but it’s better than having to entice someone using another browser to download yours and try it out. A lot also depends on whether Chrome is setup as the default browser, or whether it just appears as a choice for users during the first-boot process. I suspect it will be a default and will be accompanied by the Google Toolbar which already ships with a lot of machines.

Things are going to change with Windows 7 across the European markets which as a whole account for millions of users. The ballot screen gives users a choice and we will get a better picture of what people are choosing to use. It may be most users still select Internet Explorer as they know the name and are used to using it. But still, there may be a major shift.

In other markets deals with manufacturers will still be relevant to Google and Mozilla. Replacing IE as the default browser is the most effective way to get a browser used, although IE old timers will quickly be looking for the IE shortcut on the Sony PCs no doubt.